Chapter 20

Zoey’s Nyara Republic Diaries concluded its online run, moving countless readers to tears with Joseph’s tragic ending. Many made pilgrimages to his grave to pay their respects. Even his parents, who had once disowned him, appeared in the media, praising his kindness and selflessness. However, netizens quickly exposed their past cruelty, sparking public outrage. Anonymous funeral wreaths piled up in their hallways until, finally, they fled in the dead of night, vanishing without a trace.

Joseph was posthumously awarded the Nansen Refugee Award by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, honoring his exceptional dedication to protecting and aiding refugees. Though gone, his spirit and work continued to inspire countless others.

Jackson did not join Médecins Sans Frontières; instead, he purchased the flower shop beside the cemetery. Zoey’s words that day had stirred childhood memories—playing in the yard with his brother, making mud pies. His brother had asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, and Jackson had dreamed of owning a grand flower shop—a memory he’d long forgotten. Each year, despite her demanding schedule, Zoey visited the cemetery to honor her mother and Joseph. It was her only chance to connect with them. The rest of her time was spent traversing conflict zones across the Celestial Sea region and Eastern territories, while Jackson quietly counted the days until their paths might cross again.

Sara’s social world imploded. Former friends severed ties, viewing her as a manipulative liar. With nowhere to turn, she sought out Jackson, only to discover his heart belonged to Zoey. The false reality she’d constructed crumbled, leaving her a tragic figure of her own making.

Two years later, Zoey’s half-sister succumbed to her illness. Her stepmother, who had regained custody of her daughter, now found herself childless. Zoey’s father, Harry, was alone once more, his family fractured beyond repair. This time, he had no daughter by his side, and shortly after, he too passed away.

Zoey continued supporting the children she’d saved. Ray and Mary achieved their dreams, becoming a journalist and a doctor, respectively. Years later, upon receiving the United Nations Contribution Award, she declared in her acceptance speech, “If we cannot stop war, we must do everything in our power to save those who still have a chance at life.”